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Sunday, May 25, 2014
GoPro Hero3+: Your Adventure Camera

GoPro Hero3+: Your Adventure Camera


Known to be the smallest and lightest camera, GoPro has been one of the most popular cameras today. With its capability to withstand extreme conditions, its great wide angle lens (unconditionally genius anytime) and other features geared for versatility and convenience, GoPro is a must bring device for travelers and adventure seekers like I am.

This year, GoPro has released their latest action camera – The Hero3+ which offers a better image and HD video quality, only smaller, sleeker, and lighter.


The GoPro Hero3+ has three editions–the white, silver, and black which comes with more accessories included in the package. These include a waterproofed housing that withstands 40m submergence, a 3-Way pivot arm, adhesive mounts useful on course activities, and a whole lot more.

GoPro Hero3+ has also a number of upgrades over its cheaper siblings. One brilliant addition is the WIFI remote control which lets you operate the camera in distances without touching its buttons.  It allows you to control 50 cameras simultaneously within a range of 600 feet. Plus, with the GoPro app installed, you can even set it to various modes. With a built-in WiFi hotspot or access point, you can connect your camera to an Android or iOS device. Sweet!


On top of that handy feature, the latest version of GoPro is screaming with an improved image quality. It has higher resolution of 12MP, a little higher than the Silver edition’s 11MP and White edition’s 5MP. When taking pictures on a fast moving setting, the Burst rate feature comes in very useful. The Black edition’s maximum burst rate is three times higher than that of the Silver edition’s 10fps which gives you a maximum of 30 consecutive frames per second. For those who don’t require quite so much speed, the Black Edition has 3fps, 5fps and 10fps continuous shooting rates.

Sound quality is as important as image quality. The Hero3+ Black edition features upgraded audio performance, capturing even the most delicate of sounds—whether you’re documenting voices, music or the splash of water on a spirited dive in the sea. 

Another feature of GoPro Hero3+ Black Edition is the time-lapse mode, where the camera can be set to shoot at 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, and 60-second intervals. It all adds up to plenty of scope and flexibility.

Of course, the majority of people looking to purchase a Hero3 will probably be much more interested in its video capabilities than its still image prowess, and here again, the Black Edition enjoys a distinct advantage over its two supporting models. While the Silver and White editions support a maximum resolution of 1080p at 25fps, the Black Edition can capture 1080p Full HD video at 50, 48, or 25fps in PAL mode and 60, 48, and 30fps for NTSC capture. Furthermore, 720p recording can be captured at 100 to 50fps PAL or 120 - 60fps NTSC, which enables smooth slow-motion playback of high-def. movies.

So if you’re a person who travels a lot and loves adventure, the GoPro Hero3+ must always be on your backpack. GoPro has already improved its battery life to last 30% longer. It will be your partner in capturing your meaningful experiences. Whether it’s surfing, sky diving, bungee jumping, biking, or racing, the GoPro has got you covered. You can bring it to places and occasions you’d normally think your usual cameras would not survive. (Reginald Agsalon) FOCUS
Posted by Focus Newsmagazine at 11:44 AM 0 comments
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Monday, May 5, 2014
Cultural rebirth highlights Pangasinan day

Cultural rebirth highlights Pangasinan day


Pangasinan’s founding anniversary last April 5 was about enriching the province’s heritage and cultural history.

Governor Amado Espino, Jr.  said that Pangasinenses have become more conscious of their roots because of the arts and cultural preservation projects introduced by the present administration.

One of these projects is the “Kurit Panlunggaring” (literary contest) which attracted many Pangasinense writers to create literary works such as essays, poems and short stories written using the native language. Ma. Luisa Elduayan, chief of the Tourism Operations Division, said the event intends to develop Pangasinan language and for Pangasinenses to appreciate their mother tongue in the written form.

The contest is in line with present administration’s advocacy to teach every Pangasinense the Pangasinan language and to let those in the Ilocano-speaking areas in the province learn how to speak the language. Winners in the 3rd “Kurit Panlunggaring” were awarded during the commemorative program of the “Agew na Pangasinan” held at the Capitol Plaza in Lingayen town.

Alex Romeo Fernandez, former information writer of PIA-Pangasinan, was a multi-awarded winner in the literary contest. He won first place in poetry writing and short story writing categories under adult category and bagged the second prize in the children’s story writing category.

During the commemorative program, the provincial government also presented Pangasinan’s history through an audio-visual presentation which depicted important eras from the pre-historic up to the Golden Age of Pangasinan where remarkable transformation took place and still occurs. After the program, a float parade and street dancing dubbed “Parada na Dayew” (Parade of Praise) featured the unique culture, history, best products, festival and development of the cities and municipalities of the province.

The town of Mangaldan garnered the top award in the float-design competition. Its float-design was inspired by the town’s leading carabao meat industry called “pindang.”  The Mangaldan float bested more than 30 floats which won for the local government unit a cash of P100, 000 for winning the grand prize. To cap the event, seven outstanding Pangasinenses were honored in the ASNA Awards Night at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen town.

Honorees this year are: Ronald Costales (Organic Agriculture Development); J. Prospero de Vera III (Education); Gonzalo Duque (Public Service – Promotion of History, Culture and the Arts); Marrietta Primicias-Goco (Community Development); Pocholo Mallilin (Performing Arts); and Cesar Quiambao (Business); and Antonio Villar (Public Service).

“We acknowledge men and women of substance and character who are guided by various ideals of self-giving and service,” Espino said, as he thanked the fifth set of ASNA awardees “for giving Pangasinan works of excellence and for making us all a proud Pangasinense.”

“Asna” is an old form of the Pangasinan word asin (salt) that describes the good quality of a man’s character or his demeanor. The ASNA awardees are likened to an invaluable grain of salt connoting selfless and committed service to their fellow Pangasinenses. Aside from the impressive line-up of this year’s ASNA awardees, special recognitions were also given to Sixth District Board Member Alfonso Bince, Jr. and Mario Panoringan.

Bince, the longest-serving Provincial Board Member had passed various monumental resolutions in his 30 long years of service as provincial legislator while Panoringan was cited in civic leadership. (Source: MCA/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan) FOCUS
Posted by Focus Newsmagazine at 4:57 AM 0 comments
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Ilocos Sur makes raves in world tourism after Vigan’s Wonder City tag

Ilocos Sur makes raves in world tourism after Vigan’s Wonder City tag


The Heritage City of Vigan made waves in the global tourism and historical scene after it earned a spot in the search for the New Seven Wonder-Cities of the world.

It was one of the 28 semi-finalists and the only city in the Philippines that qualified in that round. Initially, Cebu and Iloilo were part of the 77 cities around the world until it was narrowed down.

Vigan is not merely banking on its rich heritage, but on the collective effort of its people whose cooperation is behind the city’s vast achievements.

Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie Singson Medina has appealed to the Filipinos all over the world to vote for Vigan as one of the New 7 Wonders-Cities of the World. Votes may be cast online at the New Seven Wonders site. The result of the voting in this level shall be known in July 2014.  The entries are trimmed down to 14 finalists and by December 2014, the New 7 Wonder Cities will be declared.

The wonder-cities search is the third global vote organized by the New 7 Wonders and follows the successful New 7 Wonders of the World and New 7 Wonders of Nature campaigns. The search is a forum wherein discussions from urban planning to metropolitan governance, tourism to architecture are held. It also recognizes places that best represent the achievements and aspirations of global urban civilization. It encourages debates about how cities should respond to the challenges of the present and the future.

Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.

Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia. For this, Vigan was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 2, 1999.

Vigan was also UNESCO’s “Best Practice in World Heritage Site Management” during the 40th World Heritage Convention in Kyoto, Japan, on November 6-8, 2012.It bested 27 other entries from 23 world heritage sites. Vigan was recognized for successful and sustainable management achieved with relatively limited resources.

The other cities include Athens, Greece; Bangkok, Thailand; Barcelona, Spain; Beirut, Lebanon; Casablanca, Morocco; Chicago, USA; Doha, Qatar; Durban, South Africa; Havana, Cuba; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Istanbul, Turkey; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Kyoto, Japan; La Paz, Bolivia; London, United Kingdom; Mendoza, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico; Mumbai, India; Perth, Australia; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Prague, Czech Republic; Quito, Ecuador; Reykjavik, Iceland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Seoul, South Korea; Shenzhen, China; and Vancouver, Canada.

Vigan city is also a Hall of Fame awardee as Cleanest, Greenest, and Safest City in Region 1, Best Performing Local Government Unit, Most Child-Friendly Component City in the Philippines; and the National Champion—Gawad Pamana ng Lahi in the Cities Category.

Ilocos Sur also made headlines after national authorities trained their attention on rampant illegal black sand mining in two towns. Criminal charges were filed against 31 Chinese nationals caught by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) engaged in illegal black sand mining.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the Chinese nationals were arrested in separate raids in the provinces of Cagayan and Ilocos Sur on August 1 and 3 last year. They face charges for violating the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. During the August 1 raid, authorities arrested a total of 18 Chinese nationals working for Hua Xia Mining and Trading Corp in the barangays of Doddan and Paddaya in Aparri, Cagayan. Half of the arrested individuals were caught illegally operating a mineral processing plant for magnetite, the most magnetic of all the naturally occurring Earth minerals, and which is commonly found in large quantities of black sand. The other half were said to be engaged in burrowing for the same mineral within a prohibited zone and without an MGB permit.

In the August 3 raid, 13 Chinese nationals working for Hongze Mining Corp were likewise arrested in two separate sites in Ilocos Sur: in Barangay Caparacadan in Caoayan town, and Barangay Nagtupacan in San Vicente town. De Lima said that aside from the arrests, 120,000 metric tons of black sand, which can fill up 6,000 dump trucks, was also seized.

De Lima stressed that black sand mining was illegal in "no-go zones" – a 200-meter strip of shore area that is closed to mining activities. MGB geohazard mapping had shown that coastal areas were vulnerable to wind and water erosion which makes sand mining in those areas a prohibited activity.

The World Wildlife Fund Philippines said that black sand mining will have harmful effects on the marine biodiversity in the Babuyan Channel, particularly to humpback whales. (Source: PIA1-Ilocos Sur) FOCUS
Posted by Focus Newsmagazine at 4:25 AM 0 comments
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Surfing is more fun in San Juan

Surfing is more fun in San Juan



When you wish to escape the heat and just want to relax and enjoy this summer, you'll definitely have to try and visit the surf capital of the North-- San Juan, La Union.

Brgy. Urbiztondo is the most popular surfing area in San Juan. This place is ideal for first timers. Here you can find a long coastline, one of the longest in the country. The waves are perfect yet safe for beginners. There are surf schools and tutorials here in San Juan. Town surfers organized a club and you can hire them including the surfboard for about P400 in an hour.

Mang Always, as what his colleagues call him, has been teaching surfing since 2003. According to him, surfing is easy. The most important thing you need to learn is to find the perfect balance. The key to doing this well is being calm, or trying to be still. The less movement that you make, the easier you will find it.

There are tips you have to remember for you to be able to stand on the board. When you come up, remember to keep low because if you stand straight you will fall. Your hands should be higher than your waist and just in view of your vision. And always look up! If you look at your feet, you will fall down.
According to Mang Always "wala sa timbang ng tao yan. Kahit sino pwedeng mag-try. Payat, mataba, bata, matanda pwede. Basta pursigido ka tsaka marunong makinig."

The best time to surf is from July to October, and November to March where there are larger waves and the water quite deeper.

"Kung kelan medyo malakas ang hangin, dun mas maraming nagsu-surf. Yung malaking alon ang inaabangan nila kasi mas exciting", he adds

Carlos Marasigan, an aspiring surfer, travelled all the way from Manila to experience another thrilling adventure here in San Juan. Surfing for him is an extreme sport where you can challenge yourself to do something that you fear of.

“Takot ako dati sa dagat kasi malalakas yung alon. But when I learned about surfing and tried it, na-overcome ko yung fear. Ang sarap ng nasa ibabaw ng tubig at nakikipaglaro sa mga waves", he said.

It was said that surfing in La Union was established in the late 70′s by a Japanese surfer named Aki Naga. He introduced this kind of sport to the local residents and trained them. From then on, they make it their own way of living which eventually paved to the establishment of resorts and similar businesses. Since then, the beach has become a famous surfing destination welcoming both aspiring and professional surfers from all over. But if you really don’t have the guts to surf, there are still many ways to plunge into the waters and enjoy the waves! There are plenty of beach resorts you can choose from and simply enjoy swimming. Reaching San Juan is easy. From Manila, it would take more than 7 hours with bus stops included. Take any bus going to San Fernando, La Union. Take a jeep that will lead you shortly to Brgy. Urbiztondo. If you have your own car, you can take NLEX and TPLEX and exit at Carmen. Take the McArthur Road going north.

Don’t miss the fun! Enjoy the sun and surf at San Juan! (Jing Vallejos) FOCUS
Posted by Focus Newsmagazine at 4:15 AM 0 comments
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A day in the sea: Reminiscing a first time experience

A day in the sea: Reminiscing a first time experience

As part of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the government acquired two warships for the Philippine Navy from the US Coast Guard—BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz.

During last year's celebration of Pistay Dayat, PF15 or BRP Gregorio del Pilar docked on Lingayen Gulf with the Philippine Navy opening the ship to Pangasinenses from April 28 to May 2. Their curiosity and excitement could be felt as they waited for their turn on the motorboat that would take them to the ship's location anchored at three nautical miles from the shore. Now that the province is celebrating the sea festival once again, it really feels great to reminisce the day that I was in the ship, admiring every corner of it. That was the day I felt the Philippine’s strong stance in protecting our seas and promoting our rights to sovereignty. That was the day I saw the Philippine Navy’s dedication to their job even if it meant being away from their family for a long time and putting half of their life out there despite the impending uncertainties that might be dangerous. That was the day I saw the country’s warship standing in all its glory. As my team and I queued in, my adventurous side entered the scene and I found myself feeling excited about this first time experience. On the eighth episode of Talk TV Global's Traveldotcom, I featured the visit which I cannot forget even after a year has already passed.

Getting introduced
When it was our team's turn in riding on the motorboat, the excitement grew so intense I could hardly wait to set foot on the ship, a former US Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton. As we were approaching, the ship's enormity greeted us. I could imagine it smiling and inviting us to enter and see its glory. The ship is 378 feet in length and 42 feet in width measured on the widest part. The draft is 15 feet seven inches and displacement is 3,390 tons.

Exploring every corner
Our first stop was the wardroom where I interviewed the commanding officer, Commodore Joe Orbe. The wardroom serves as their meeting room for strategic planning and for other matters that need to be discussed in a closed door scenario.

Several steps from the wardroom is the commanding officer's quarters where he rests and sometimes calls for meetings with other officers of the ship. Everything he needs is within reach. For instance, just outside his quarters is his own kitchen. His room, unfortunately, is restricted to the public, so I only had a glimpse of it from outside. The gun deck is where the ship's huge armaments can be found. The biggest weapon of the ship is the 76 mm Oto Melara gun that can fire up to 80 rounds of ammunition per minute.

Still at home
Spending most of their time on the sea, the officers can still enjoy the comforts of home. We also went to the kitchen and the mess hall where they dine, the gym where figure-conscious men can lift weights, the clinic for emergencies and the lounge where they can stay when off duty. Here, they can watch a film or two, or read books and magazines. A library and entertainment room rolled into one.

The engine room is several levels down. But, it was also restricted to the public, so we had not got the chance to take a peek inside. Located in the back portion of the ship are the helipad and the ship's hangar. On display on this part were several types of guns.

We spent our last few minutes inside on admiring and staring around the ship, finding ourselves caught in awe. Sure, it is not brand new, but BRP Gregorio del Pilar is something nobody will ever want to miss given the chance of a tour inside. After all, it is every Filipino's ship. (EJ Dangla) FOCUS
Posted by Focus Newsmagazine at 3:37 AM 0 comments
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When 'green' is the new gold

When 'green' is the new gold

I read somewhere that if you have seeds, you have gold. It is of higher value than gold itself. Seeds are easier to sell, of lesser risk and with time, their values appreciate. Gold is harder to dispose, it takes a long time to earn or possess gold bars. Not everyone can possess a gold bar, but seeds? They can be everywhere, to anyone, rich or poor.

Seeds along with land, farmer and inputs can feed a community and a country. Agriculture plays a major impact on the health and economy of a nation. Thankfully we are in Luzon’s vegetable and palay basket, where 90% of the economy is dependent on farming.

One of the notable companies in seed production has stationed its research station in Tayug, Pangasinan. Allied Botanical Corporation (ABC).

ABC is the leading supplier, producer and breeder of vegetable seeds in the Philippines. With a solid program for localized breeding, the company prides itself with its rigid selection and breeding for tropical vegetables.

According to their website, they also supply the best quality vegetable and flower seeds in the Philippines. “We carry some of the world’s best known brands in the horticulture business. Each brand is a symbol of excellence and specialization in its field.  Each brand is a result of our meticulous and rigid screening and selection. In partnership with our foreign suppliers, we pride ourselves in bringing the best seeds and fertilizer technology available to the Filipino farmers”, the company claims.

When FOCUS visited their research station in Tayug, we were met by Herlo Atole, the farm manager. He showed us how they breed seeds for commercial purposes.  He even enumerated its processes.

Accordingly, there are two kinds of seeds. One is the open-pollinated variety (OP), which is the common heirloom seeds from farmers, and the hybrid seeds that are being distributed by seed companies.

Hybrid seeds are carefully selected, tested, and exposed to harmful elements and challenges faced by farmers in the Philippines. Most seed varieties are being tested in their Tayug farm. We saw different varieties of pinakbet vegetables which the company is a market leader in the category. Other vegetables include cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, fennel, onions, chili and green pepper, bell pepper, sigarilyas (winged beans), squash, and string beans among others.

They even showed their nursery where they grow various varieties of vegetables and crops. Their most popular brands are Condor, Sakata, Takii’s, and Yokohama.

ABC is a company with a heart. They give technical support and other incentives to farmers so they’ll know how to win against natural and environmental hazards that come with farming.

They wanted farmers to earn more by doing the right things and using the right seeds. They believe that they can only be successful if farmers using their brands are happy about their sales and produce.

Allied Botanical Corporation is one of the few companies with a conscience. They share their expertise to farmers and other agri groups and even hobbyists.

Once or twice a year, they open their doors to the public through their Open Field Day, a showcase of their plant varieties.

The research station is also open to farmer field trips and internships. Agriculture students can take advantage of their vast station to learn hands-on techniques on plant care.

The world is undeniably facing ‘real food’ shortage. With calamities that destroy our lands, marine and other resources, it is imperative to be prepared. Rather than accumulate riches, gold and currencies, we’d rather save up on seeds. Seeds that when properly stored can have long shelf life. Seeds that when properly planted and taken care of can feed an army, a community, and even a country.

Let’s make it an advocacy to have stored seeds in every household. We do not know what will happen tomorrow so if in case another typhoon like Yolanda ravages our areas, at least we have something to start with.

In today’s economy, seeds are truly the new  gold. (Vanj Padilla) FOCUS
Posted by Focus Newsmagazine at 3:18 AM 0 comments
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Google, IBM results raise questions about other tech-sector companies

Google, IBM results raise questions about other tech-sector companies

Disappointing results from Google Inc. and IBM may unnerve investors shaken by a strong recent sell-off in tech stocks, underscoring the challenges the Internet and IT sectors face as corporate report cards come due in coming weeks.

The two companies, both barometers of their respective industries, posted March-quarter results on Wednesday that missed Wall Street's revenue targets, and their shares fell in after-hours trade.

IBM blamed weak hardware sales for its lowest quarterly revenue in five years, worsened by an 11 percent slide in overall sales in emerging markets including China, Brazil, Russia and India.

That spells trouble for other tech companies reliant on enterprise-spending, such as Oracle, Cisco, EMC and Hewlett-Packard, which report results this month or next. Like IBM, they have struggled to grow their businesses, particularly in China, whose economy is down-shifting after years of hyper-growth.

Enterprise spending in general has been on the wane for traditional computing giants as corporations and even governments increasingly turn to software-as-a-service (SaaS) and other cloud offerings instead of maintaining their own in-house technology infrastructure. Many, including IBM and Oracle, have been left behind by smaller, younger rivals as spending goes toward emerging areas like big data, cloud and cyber security.

"We're seeing a lot of traditional technology vendors struggle," said FBR analyst Dan Ives. "You're seeing spending go away from big-bang projects toward smaller, more modular types of deployments, which speaks to why a lot of SaaS players are doing well. Customers want to buy just the drink rather than the whole bar."

Google's and IBM's poor results on Wednesday may do little to change investors' sentiment following a recent drop in tech stocks. Since early March, the tech-heavy Nasdaq index has fallen over 6 percent.

Mobile ad worries
With the latest results factored in, including IBM and Google, tech earnings growth estimates for the quarter have fallen by roughly two-thirds since the start of the year, according to Thomson Reuters data.

On January 1, as the first quarter got under way, analysts on average predicted tech earnings would grow by 7 percent. But now, as first-quarter reports trickle out, analysts on average expect growth of just 2.4 percent, according to the data.

That also marks a deceleration in tech profit growth from the fourth quarter, when it totaled 10.3 percent, but it is an improvement from 2013's first quarter, when tech profits shrank by 1.2 percent.

In Google's case, investors initially pummeled the stock in after-hours trading after the world's largest Internet company reported its miss, plus a drop in margins as cost-per-click, or the average price of an online ad, slid 9 percent.

The shares rebounded after CFO Patrick Pichette attributed that profitability decline to a spike in expenses partly because of its $3.2 billion acquisition of home automation pioneer Nest last quarter, which tacked on a raft of payroll and research costs.

More broadly, the three largest Internet corporations – Google, Facebook Inc. and Twitter Inc. – have each grappled with advertising on mobile devices, where the growth is currently concentrated, and where smartphones with smaller displays typically command lower ad prices than on desktop PCs.

For investors in Google, accustomed to the company enjoying one of the highest ad margins in the business, mobile ads have translated to a steep drop in ad rates. The transition has been less jarring at Facebook, which once relied almost exclusively on low-margin display or banner ads.

Twitter, which had difficulty monetizing its 140-character stream-of-consciousness messaging model, is catching on with TV advertisers because of its growing position as a "second screen" to accompany TV viewing.

"People are trying to adapt to a new delivery system which is mobile," said B. Riley & Co analyst Sameet Sinha. "It is a challenge for most companies, and it's going to be here for the next couple of years." (Source: Reuters) FOCUS
Posted by Focus Newsmagazine at 2:27 AM 0 comments
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